2.6 GHz frequency spectrum auction resumes

Eugene Ikemefuna Juwah, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission on Monday announced the resumption of the 2.6Gigerhertz spectrum auction.

It also said all interested parties should be informed that the auction of frequency spectrum licences in the 2.6 GHz band had resumed.

In a statement made available to our correspondent, the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah, stated that the Information Memorandum, giving details of the requirements, revised timetable, and the auction process, had been published on the commission’s website.

Juwah, therefore, urged interested applicants to download the document from the website, “and be guided accordingly.”

The development comes five days after the NCC fixed second quarter of the year to auction the 70/80Gigahertz spectrum band in order to deepen broadband penetration and aid ever-present Internet access in the country.

Juwah had said that the auctioning had become essential because the 70/80GHz spectrum band was yet to be explored in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, The PUNCH reported late last year that the Federal Government, through the NCC, had suspended 260Ghz auction, citing administrative reasons.

Juwah had said then, “The NCC, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, regrets to inform parties interested in participating in the auction of Frequency Spectrum Licences in the 2.6 GHz band that it has decided to postpone the process of the auction.

“This postponement is to enable the conclusion of all administrative requirements aimed at ensuring that the licences are delivered to winners and be effective immediately on conclusion of the auction.”

The Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, stated in Lagos late 2014 that auction would be concluded in the first quarter of 2015.

Findings from investigations, however, showed that the country’s GSM operators and others were keenly contesting for the 2.6GHz spectrum licence. It was gathered that MTN, Airtel and Etisalat had submitted bids for the licence before the suspension.

The Director of Spectrum Administration at NCC, Austin Nwaulune, said the 2.6GHz spectrum auction process would be out soonest, stressing that the whole process was to ensure the creation of pervasive broadband and enable ubiquitous Internet access in the country.